Corbett says state pension cuts should apply to all

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett says any rollbacks in pension benefits for current Pennsylvania state employees and teachers should be applied across the board to include lawmakers and judges.

Corbett made the comments Thursday as the Republican governor considers ways to slow the growth of pension costs that have become a $41 billion unfunded liability.

Despite case law barring reductions in benefits for tens of thousands of current employees, Corbett says he believes it is legally possible to change the formula used to calculate their future benefits.

The governor acknowledged that it may be impossible under present law to reduce the pensions of judges and Corbett says any such change would most likely have to be settled in court.